. >>> california voters will consider a ballot measure that would abolish the state's death penalty. if proposition 34 goes through, more than 700 death row inmates would have their sentences commuted to life in prison without parole. >>> and with all the buzz about the romance between president obama and chris christie and the wake of superstorm sandy, you knew it would not take long for "saturday night live" to add their two cents. >> so i would like to give a sincere thanks to president obama for how he handled the situation on election day, i'm voting for mitt romney. but if i had to pick one guy to have my back in a crisis, it would be barack obama. he's been amazing. you know, so kind, such a leader, a tree inspiration. again, i'll be a good soldier, i'll vote for romney but i'm going to hate him, too. >> mitt romney also on the receiving end of some spoofing. we'll have that for you a little later this morning. much more ahead as a special edition of "early start" continues right now on cnn live from washington, d.c. >>> good morning, everybody. welcome to our special coverage